2014 NFL Mock Draft Round 5: Hickman to join “America’s Team”

With the 2014 NFL Draft fast approaching I have come up with my pick for who I believe will be taken and starting now the Houston Texans and new Head Coach Bill O’Brien are on the clock. With a total of 256 picks in seven rounds – including a total of 32 compensatory picks awarded to a total of 13 teams – there are 256 young men who will have their names called and it is my thought that there are three former FIU players who may be taken in later rounds.

Round 5

Pick (overall)

1 (141). Houston Texans

Devon Kennard, Linebacker, The University of Southern California

2 (142). Washington Redskins

Seantrel Henderson, Offensive Tackle, The University of Miami(Fla.)

3 (143). Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Brent Urban, Defensive End, The University of Virginia

4 (144). Jacksonville Jaguars

Storm Johnson, Runningback, The University of Central Florida

5 (145). Cleveland Browns

Howard Jones, Linebacker, Shepherd University

6 (146). Seattle Seahawks (from Oakland Raiders)

Josh Mauro, Defensive End, Stanford University

7 (147). Atlanta Falcons

John Brown, Wide Receiver, Pittsburg State University

8 (148). Minnesota Vikings

Terrance Mitchell, Cornerback, The University of Oregon

9 (149). Buffalo Bills

Wesley Johnson, Center, Vanderbilt University

10 (150). Jacksonville Jaguars (from Detroit Lions)

Charles Leno, Offensive Guard, Boise State University

11 (151). Tennessee Titans

Craig Loston, Strong Safety, Louisiana State University

12 (152). New York Giants

Marqueston Huff, Free Safety, The University of Wyoming

13 (153). St. Louis Rams

Max Bullough, Linebacker, Michigan State University

14 (154). New York Jets

Michael Campanaro, Wide Receiver, Wake Forest University

15 (155). Miami Dolphins

Larry Webster, Tight End, Bloomsburg University

16 (156). Chicago Bears

Antone Exum, Cornerback, Virginia Tech University

17 (157). Pittsburgh Steelers

Kirby Van Der Kamp, Punter, Iowa State

18 (158). Dallas Cowboys

Greg Hickman, Defensive End, Florida International University

This is the big one everyone. The first pick from FIU in the 2014 NFL Draft will be, in my opinion, Hickman. He was one of the anchors of a defense, none-the-less team, at FIU who slacked off for the entire 2013 campaign.

However, he is the name that is coming off of the list first for me because he has the chance to do something big at the next level.

Hickman played in all 12 games for the Panthers and put up some pretty good numbers for how the rest of the team did comparatively. He had 44 total tackles, 31 solo and 13 assisted, along with 9.5 tackles for loss. Those tackles for loss added up to 39 yards lost for opponents. He also recorded four sacks for 24 yards. He also had three forced fumbles and three quarterback hurries in his final season as an FIU Panther.

“My first years under Cristobal prepared for me the discipline and work ethic that I need for the NFL,” Hickman said. “When [Head Coach Ron] Turner came in and brought on some NFL level coaches, those lessons that I learned with Cristobal carried over and showed what I could do.”

The Tampa, Florida native will have to switch numbers if he gets into the NFL as he wore No. 8 during his time in Miami. Defensive linemen can wear only certain numbers in the league, and just as Johnathan Cyprien had to change from No. 7 to No. 37 when he went to the Jacksonville Jaguars so will Hickman, who I have going to the Cowboys.

“I don’t really have a thought on it,” Hickman said. “It doesn’t  matter. I just want the number they give me and I will compete in any number that they give me.”

One of the largest needs for the Cowboys is on the defensive line and I think that they might give Hickman the best shot to get into a rotation by the end of the 2014-2015 season.

“I would love playing for them. Any possible way of me getting drafted is great,” Hickman said.  “I have no preference, I just want the opportunity.”

When I was younger I was a Tampa Bay Buccaneers fan,” Hickman added. “I still love the Bucs but doesn’t matter now.”

I think that this is the best place to grab Hickman because, is it not at a high risk point of the draft but also, Hickman in my opinion is a mid-to-late round talent and the best possible option for the players coming out of FIU.

“Physically I have been working out at Cooper Speed-Strength School in Tampa, Florida,” Hickman said. “Mentally I have been blocking everything out, not over thinking anything and just talking to the teams.”

Hickman does have other teammates who are trying to get to the NFL but he thinks the one that is most prepared is himself.

“I have the biggest potential and if I am given a chance I think that I can have a solid year in my rookie season. I am most prepared in my opinion,” Hickman said.

19 (159). Jacksonville Jaguars (from Baltimore Ravens)

Tom Hornsey, Punter, The University of Memphis

20 (160). Arizona Cardinals

Vinnie Sunseri, Strong Safety, The University of Alabama

21 (161). Green Bay Packers

Ronald Powell, Linebacker, The University of Florida

22 (162). Philadelphia Eagles

De’Anthony Thomas, Runningback, The University of Oregon

23 (163). Kansas City Chiefs

Aaron Murray, Quarterback, The University of Georgia

24 (164). Cincinnati Bengals

Matt Hazel, Wide Receiver, Coastal Carolina University

25 (165). San Diego Chargers

Lamin Barrow, Linebacker, Louisiana State University

26 (166). Indianapolis Colts

Chris Boswell, Kicker, Rice University

27 (167). New Orleans Saints

Tyler Gaffney, Runningback, Stanford University

28 (168). Carolina Panthers

Lorenzo Taliaferro, Runningback, Coastal Carolina University

29 (169). New Orleans Saints (from New England Patriots through Philadelphia Eagles)

Jalen Saunders, Wide Receiver, The University of Texas

30 (170). San Francisco 49ers

TJ Jones, Wide Receiver, Notre Dame

31 (171). Denver Broncos

J.C. Copeland, Fullback, Louisiana State University

32 (172). Seattle Seahawks

Yamin Smallwood, Linebacker, The University of Connecticut

33 (173). Pittsburgh Steelers (compensatory selection)

Avery Williamson, Linebacker, The University of Kentucky

34 (174). New York Giants (compensatory selection)

Matt Patchan, Offensive Tackle, Boston College

35 (175). Baltimore Ravens (compensatory selection)

Kendall James, Cornerback, The University of Maine

36 (176). Green Bay Packers (compensatory selection)

Anthony Fera, Kicker, The University of Texas